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Nextlink vs. WOW!

Whether you’re researching Nextlink vs. WOW! internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.

Nextlink
Price: $40.00 - $90.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (18)

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WOW!
Price: $25.00 - $190.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (31)

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Nextlink and WOW! compete directly in approximately 0.00% of their service areas, with Nextlink covering 11,613,400 people nationwide and WOW! serving 5,265,307. Nextlink primarily delivers internet through a fiber connection; WOW! specializes in cable connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of Nextlink and WOW!’s availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees

Nextlink vs. WOW! | Pros & Cons

Nextlink Logo

Pros:

  • Fast upload speeds
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • No contracts required

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Limited fiber availability
  • Customers report speed issues

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WOW! Logo

Pros:

  • Gigabit speeds available
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • No contracts required

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Limited fiber availability
  • Installation fees apply

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Nextlink vs. WOW! | Availability

Nextlink and WOW! have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Both Providers Available | Nextlink Available | WOW! Available | No Coverage

Nextlink currently offers internet service in 5,036 cities and 498 counties across 12 states, reaching approximately 11,613,400 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; and Omaha, NE. By comparison, WOW! serves 5,265,307 residents in 327 cities and 50 counties in 6 states, with a presence in population centers such as Detroit, MI; Tampa, FL; and Charleston, SC.

Nextlink has particularly strong coverage nationwide, where they serve 0 cities and 0 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 34 indicates they primarily serves urban areas, though still maintaining moderate rural availability..

WOW! is prominent in nationwide with service to 0 cities and 0 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 5, WOW! focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities.

Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about Nextlink and WOW! at your location, use our address search tool:

Nextlink vs. WOW! | Speeds & Technology

Nextlink and WOW! utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

Across their service areas, Nextlink primarily delivers internet through fiber, available to 0.0% of their customers. They also offer fixed wireless to less than 1% of their coverage area. WOW! relies on cable technology, which comprises 0.0% of their network, with fiber available in less than 1% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, WOW! offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,517 Mbps compared to Nextlink’s average speed of 527 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, WOW! delivers faster speeds in 0.00% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 0.00%, and slower speeds in 0.00%.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Nextlink’s premium Fiber service reaches 2.4% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, WOW!’s top-tier Fiber is available to 9.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Nextlink vs. WOW! | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Nextlink and WOW!, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Nextlink Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Wireless 100$40.00100 MbpsNot listedFixed Wireless
Wireless 300$60.00300 MbpsNot listedFixed Wireless
Wireless 500$80.00500 MbpsNot listedFixed Wireless
Wireless 1000$90.001000 MbpsNot listedFixed Wireless

Sourced from pricing published on Nextlink's official website, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

Nextlink Plans

WOW! Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Fiber 300$35.00300 Mbps300 MbpsFiber
Internet 200$40.00200 Mbps10 MbpsCable
Internet 600$35.00 ($55.00 regular price)600 Mbps50 MbpsCable
Fiber 500$40.00 ($60.00 regular price)500 Mbps500 MbpsFiber
Internet 300$25.00 ($65.00 regular price)300 Mbps25 MbpsCable
Internet 1 Gig$50.00 ($70.00 regular price)1000 Mbps50 MbpsCable
Fiber 1 Gig$50.00 ($90.00 regular price)1000 Mbps1000 MbpsFiber
Fiber 3 Gig$75.00 ($100.00 regular price)3000 Mbps3000 MbpsFiber
Internet 1.2 Gig$70.00 ($110.00 regular price)1200 Mbps50 MbpsCable
Internet 2 Gig$110.002000 Mbps250 MbpsCable
Fiber 5 Gig$190.005000 Mbps5000 MbpsFiber

Sourced directly from WOW!'s FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband label data, last verified September 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

WOW! Plans

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Nextlink vs. WOW! | Customer Ratings & Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Nextlink and WOW! based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, Nextlink earns an overall rating of 3.00 / 5 stars from 19 customer reviews, while WOW! maintains a 3.16 / 5 rating from 32 reviews. WOW! outperforms Nextlink by 0.2 points in overall satisfaction. Nextlink’s best-rated service is their Fixed Wireless offering at 3.29 / 5 stars, compared to WOW!’s highest-rated service, Cable, at 3.13 / 5 stars.

Nextlink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 2.20 of 5 stars

(5)

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.29 of 5 stars

(14)

Nextlink has an overall rating of 3.00 out of 5, with a total of 19 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them slightly lower than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Nextlink’s ratings, their Fixed Wireless service (74% of reviews) averages 3.29 / 5 stars, lower than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our Nextlink Internet Reviews page.

WOW! Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.00 of 5 stars

(1)

Cable

Cable: 3.13 of 5 stars

(30)

DSL

DSL: 4.00 of 5 stars

(1)

WOW! has an overall rating of 3.16 out of 5, with a total of 32 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into WOW!’s ratings, their Cable service (94% of reviews) averages 3.13 / 5 stars, higher than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our WOW! Internet Reviews page.

Nextlink vs. WOW! | Fees & Details

Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.

Nextlink Service

Fee

Not Provided by Nextlink

WOW! Service

Fee

Professional Installation

$99.00

Self-Installation Activation

$10.00

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Nextlink vs. WOW! | Top Cities

Nextlink serves 5,036 cities while WOW! is available in 327 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

Nextlink Cities

Dallas, TX
  • Availability: 43.04%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 478 Mbps
Fort Worth, TX
  • Availability: 93.63%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 508 Mbps
Omaha, NE
  • Availability: 57.37%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 455 Mbps
Wichita, KS
  • Availability: 82.18%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 753 Mbps
Oklahoma City, OK
  • Availability: 26.93%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 488 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

WOW! Cities

Detroit, MI
  • Availability: 44.30%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,274 Mbps
Tampa, FL
  • Availability: 28.28%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,682 Mbps
Charleston, SC
  • Availability: 40.59%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,200 Mbps
Augusta, GA
  • Availability: 48.10%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,200 Mbps
St. Petersburg, FL
  • Availability: 88.88%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,200 Mbps